The region's 2010 Hispanic population is 35,103, or 77.49 percent more than the 19,777 in 2000. The high percentage growth reflects in part the smaller numbers that were counted in 2000.

"The Hispanic population is definitely growing in the region. It's growing in the Hudson Valley," said Nancy Denton, professor of sociology at the state University at Albany, who studies the Hispanic expansion.

The surge in the Hispanic numbers will impact the area as other groups' growth has slowed.

"It gives us vitality. It gives us kids to go to our schools. It gives us people to work," Denton said.

The U.S. Hispanic population reached 50.5 million in 2010, up 43 percent from 35.3 million in 2000.

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Big changes

Hispanic population growth in Capital Region:

Counties % increase 2000 2010

Albany 64.30 9,079 14,917

Rensselaer 88.53 3,225 6,080

Saratoga 86.27 2,834 5,279

Schenectady 90.27 4,639 8,827

4-county region 77.49 19,777 35,103

In New York, the Hispanic population rose 19.2 percent to 3.4 million in 2010 from 2.8 million in 2000.

Locally, Albany County's Hispanic population rose 64.3 percent to 14,917 in 2010; Rensselaer County by 88.53 percent to 6,080; Saratoga County by 86.27 percent to 5,279; and Schenectady County by 90.27 percent to 8,827.

The Capital Region's three major cities -- Albany, Schenectady and Troy -- are home to 19,302 or 55 percent of the region's Hispanics. Albany has 8,396 Hispanic residents; Schenectady, 6,922; and Troy, 3,984.

Miranda said the higher numbers reflect the complete-count campaign waged to make sure Hispanics participated in the census. Many of the new arrivals, she said, have moved here from the New York City metropolitan area.

"We have seen many folks coming from the city because it's so expensive," she said.

Hispanics compose 4.18 percent of the Capital Region's 837,967 residents in 2010. Nationally, Hispanics form 16.3 percent of the population and are 17.6 percent of New York residents.